STEP Listening Skills 2

Question 1

A STEP listening passage discusses 'the pros and cons of online education.' What does 'pros and cons' mean?

Accepted Answer

Advantages and disadvantages

Answer

'Pros' means advantages or arguments in favor, and 'cons' means disadvantages or arguments against. 'Pros and cons' is a common expression meaning examining both the positive and negative aspects of something.

Question 2

In an audio clip, the speaker emphasizes a word by saying it louder and slower. Why might a speaker do this?

Accepted Answer

They want to highlight the word's importance or create emphasis for the listener

Answer

Speakers use stress (volume, speed) to highlight key information, contrast ideas, or correct misunderstandings. Recognizing stressed words in STEP listening helps identify the most important information and the speaker's intended meaning.

Question 3

A speaker says: 'Let me give you an example to illustrate this point.' What is the speaker about to do?

Accepted Answer

Provide a specific case or scenario to explain the concept more clearly

Answer

The phrase signals that a concrete example is coming to clarify an abstract idea. 'Illustrate' means to make clear by using examples. In STEP listening, examples often contain key details that help answer comprehension questions.

Question 4

In a dialogue, Speaker A says: 'I'm not sure I follow you.' What does this mean?

Accepted Answer

Speaker A doesn't understand what Speaker B is saying

Answer

'I'm not sure I follow you' is a polite way of saying 'I don't understand.' 'Follow' here means 'understand' or 'keep up with.' Similar expressions: 'I'm lost,' 'Could you clarify?,' 'What do you mean by that?'

Question 5

A presenter says: 'Moving on to our next topic...' What discourse function does this serve?

Accepted Answer

Signaling a transition to a new subject or section

Answer

'Moving on to' is a transition marker indicating a shift from one topic to another. Recognizing transitions in STEP listening helps listeners mentally organize information and prepare for new content. Other markers: 'turning to,' 'let's look at,' 'now I'd like to discuss.'

STEP Practice Test

STEP Practice Test

STEP Listening Skills 2